HKUST Leaps 11 Places to Rank 33rd Globally in the QS World University Rankings 2027
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) announced today that it has risen significantly by 11 places to 33rd in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2027.
HKUST President Prof. Nancy IP celebrated the university's upward momentum in the rankings, stating, "This year's notable progress is truly heartening. It stands as clear evidence of the collective synergy among our students, faculty, staff, and alumni, and reaffirms our excellence in teaching, research, and nurturing future talent."
"While rankings serve as a useful benchmark, they are ultimately a catalyst for our continued growth. Moving forward, HKUST will harness our 'Can-do' spirit to turn groundbreaking research and teaching into tangible solutions for society. We will cultivate globally minded leaders, bolster Hong Kong's status as a premier I&T and education hub, and actively advance national development. Above all, our community remains tirelessly committed to pushing the boundaries of excellence," she added.
As the nation embarks on its 15th Five-Year Plan, this latest ranking underscores HKUST’s excellence in cultivating future leaders. It affirms that our graduates are highly competitive in the global job market and possess a distinctly international perspective—attributes that have earned widespread recognition from industry.
Guided by a broad and forward-looking perspective, HKUST’s faculty and students are committed to identifying pressing societal needs and converting research breakthroughs into solutions that benefit communities worldwide. The University will continue to cultivate talent and support national strategies, with a particular focus on addressing the socio-economic transformations shaped by the rise of artificial intelligence.
About The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) (https://hkust.edu.hk/) is a world-class university known for its innovative education, research excellence, and impactful knowledge transfer. With a holistic and interdisciplinary pedagogy approach, HKUST was ranked 6th in the QS Asia University Rankings 2026, 3rd in the Times Higher Education’s Young University Rankings 2024, and 19th globally and 1st in Hong Kong in the Times Higher Education’s Impact Rankings 2025. Eleven HKUST subjects were ranked among the world’s top 50 in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026. In addition, in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2026, HKUST’s Computer Science discipline which encompasses areas such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, has been ranked No. 1 in Hong Kong for ten consecutive years. Our graduates are highly competitive, consistently ranking among the world’s top 30 most sought-after employees. In terms of research and entrepreneurship, over 80% of our work was rated “internationally excellent” or “world leading” in the Research Assessment Exercise 2020 of the Hong Kong’s University Grants Committee. As of May 2026, HKUST members have founded over 1,900 active start-ups, including 11 Unicorns and 22 exits (IPO or M&A).
For media enquiries, please contact:
PR and Media Team, Global Engagement and Communications Office
Email: [email protected]
Sign Up for Our Latest News
Latest News
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST)'s Cheng Kar-Shun Robotics Institute (CKSRI) today announced the establishment of its Industrial Alliance, alongside the inaugural CKSRI Industrial Summit.
In recent years, Hong Kong has experienced repeated episodes of intense rainfall that left significant impacts on social operations, including the “once‑in‑a‑century” rainstorm in September 2023, the exceptionally heavy rain in May 2024, and a series of Black Rainstorm events in early August 2025.
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), in collaboration with the Center for Metaverse and Computational Creativity at HKUST(Guangzhou), presents the SURREALITY Mixed Reality (MR) × Artificial Intelligence (AI) Digital Art Cross-City Exhibition. As part of HKUST's 35th-anniversary celebrations, an exclusive media preview of the world's first large-scale, cross-regional MR × AI digital art exhibition was held at the University's Clear Water Bay campus.